Keep emotions in check when discussing guns

Our nation's controversy over gun control probably will not be resolved completely any time soon. One aspect of the debate concerns the publication of the names and addresses of citizens who have gun permits. Many people feel that these lists should be kept private.

Gene Policinski, executive director of the First Amendment Center (Daily Record, Jan. 12) is absolutely correct when he states that gun permits, as public documents, may be published under the First Amendment right to freedom of the press, just as are notices of birth, death (including suicides), marriages, real estate purchases, etc. However, I am not sure that this is a right that must necessarily be exercised. As a career journalist, I feel that some restraint must sometimes be exercised.

This debate reminds me of the story of a newspaper publisher who wanted his editorial staff to put a stopwatch on the local volunteer fire departments and ambulance squad to see if they were responding as quickly as he thought they should. As with the lists of gun permits, the stopwatch idea is not intended to enhance public safety, but only to try to embrarass our fellow citizens. Is that necessary?

The ultimate effect of publishing lists of gun permit holders, however, is to inform criminals which houses to burglarize to obtain firearms. I find it difficult to perceive this as responsible journalism and wonder why any publisher would feel it was necessary to publish a shopping list for criminals.

Then there is the problem of keeping guns out of the hands of people with mental problems. This seems like a good and sensible idea until our privacy laws influenced the process. Does a gun permit application ask if the applicant or anyone else who will be have access to the gun(s) is afflicted with any kid of mental illness? This could keep the debate going for a long time.

I think we all can agree that better gun control is needed, but the process must be based on intelligent thought, not emotionalism, and with respect to everyone's rights.

Howard R. Reeves

OGDENSBURG

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Keep emotions in check when discussing guns

Our nation's controversy over gun control probably will not be resolved completely any time soon. One aspect of the debate concerns the publication of the names and addresses of citizens who have gun

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